(12-28) 14:27 PST NEW YORK (AP) -- Rap impresario Sean ``Puffy'' Combs, back on the street after a day behind bars on a gun charge, told a jam-packed news conference Tuesday that he's innocent.
``Under no circumstances whatsoever did I have anything to do with a shooting,'' Combs said in a brief statement. ``I do not own a gun nor did I have possession of a gun that night. I had nothing to do with a shooting in this club.
``I want to make this 100 percent clear.''
It was the same message delivered late Monday by Combs after his arraignment on felony weapons charges. Combs was arrested when police found a handgun in his vehicle as he and girlfriend Jennifer Lopez fled a Times Square club shooting scene where three people were injured.
Combs, whose charge was unrelated to the shooting, was released on $10,000 bail and ordered back to court on Feb. 14.
Combs was arrested with Ms. Lopez, the actress-singer known for her work in films such as ``Out of Sight'' and ``Anaconda.'' Charges against her were dropped after more than 10 hours of questioning.
Jamal Barrow, 19, who raps under the name Shyne, was arrested outside the Club NY early Monday and charged with three counts of attempted murder. Authorities alleged that Combs pulled a gun inside the club, but he emphatically denied it.
Combs arrived 25 minutes late for his news conference, sporting a beige sweater from his clothing line and a glum look on his face. He did not take questions; his attorney, Harvey Slovis, cut off attempts to quiz the millionaire artist.
larry mcshane
